No Change in Policy on Taiwan: Ambassador Li

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Li Zhaoxing said Thursday it is not right to say that the Chinese government has changed its policy on Taiwan. Li made the remarks when asked by Chinese journalists if the white paper, entitled "The One-China Principle and the Taiwan Issue," signals a major change in China's policy on the Taiwan issue.

"The white paper can help international community better understand our One-China principle, and some in the media have gained a deeper appreciation of the efforts of the Chinese government and people for the 'peaceful reunification and one country, two systems' policy," he said.

But others in the media as well as some political figures in the United States have mistakenly concluded that China has changed its Taiwan policy, and this is perhaps because "they have not read the full text of the white paper, and a few may have had an axe to grind by cashing in on this opportunity," Li added.

Li said that in an important speech on Tuesday, Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen denied the foreign press allegations that China's policy on Taiwan has been changed.

The white paper clearly states that there is no change in the policy of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems," nor is there any change in the eight-point proposition by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, he quoted Qian as saying.

Qian also said as to the point that the solution of the Taiwan issue cannot be delayed indefinitely, "this is our consistent position, not anything new."

The late Deng Xiaoping said in October 1984 that "we adhere to seeking the solution of the Taiwan issue by peaceful means, but we have never given up the option of using non-peaceful means, and we cannot make such a commitment. What can we do if the Taiwan authorities never talk with us? Can we abandon national reunification?" Qian said in his speech.

Ambassador Li stressed that China has made it clear that there should be no indefinitely delaying in the solution of the Taiwan issue, because "we want to see headway in the cross-straits relations and to prod the Taiwan authorities to sit down to negotiate with us."

Li quoted the white paper as saying that within the framework of one China, any question can be discussed between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, including the various issues that are of concern to the Taiwan side.

The resolve of the Chinese government and people to fight separatism and "Taiwan independence" and to uphold the basic principle of "peaceful reunification, one country, two systems" is "firm and consistent," he said.

Under the One-China principle, he added, it is entirely possible to find a suitable modality of cross-Straits talks on an equal footing.

Ambassador Li advised friends from the media here "to read carefully" the eight-point proposition by President Jiang Zemin and the full text of the white paper before making any serious comments.

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